Watch: Underwater Iftar in Abu Dhabi features ‘extremely rare’ sea cows – News

Imagine dining with stingrays and schools of brightly colored fish swimming overhead – the Abu Dhabi National Aquarium hosted an underwater iftar as a grand welcome to its new residents, two African manatees.

The “extremely rare” African manatees are joining the aquarium’s more than 46,000 marine and land animals, marking the first time they have been seen in the region.

From the first day of Eid Al Fitr, the general public will be able to witness the captivating beauty of manatees and learn about the species from on-site experts.

Only a few select facilities around the world can house African manatees, said Paul Hamilton, CEO of the National Aquarium.

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“What you are seeing here is something unusual. The two male manatees were moved from an aquarium in Seoul,” Hamilton said when the marine mammals, categorized as vulnerable species, were presented for the first time after the iftar.

The unique iftar was held in the longest underwater tunnel in the region and offered a fascinating view of the multiple species of fish and marine life. Among those present were several ambassadors, diplomats and officials, especially from African nations.

Meet the manatees

Both gentle giants were seen swimming comfortably through their new surroundings, often approaching the glass wall and posing for the cameras.

Native to the warm inland and coastal waters of western and central Africa, African manatees, also known as sea cows in general, are gentle omnivores and crucial to their ecosystems.

They are secretive aquatic mammals that live in nutrient-rich bodies of water from Senegal to Angola.

Despite their ecological importance, these majestic creatures face significant threats, including habitat degradation, poaching, entrapment in dams, and bycatch in fisheries.

Inspiring conservation

The rare sea cows were brought to the country as part of the aquarium’s African Manatee Project, which aims to promote public awareness and inspire conservation action.

The National Aquarium offers a sanctuary that closely mimics the natural habitat of manatees in Africa, while offering visitors a unique opportunity to observe and learn about these magnificent creatures firsthand.

The duo was flown from South Korea on a special flight accompanied by a team of specialists, who closely followed the manatees during the trip.

“Our commitment to following international standards ensures that these magnificent creatures thrive in an atmosphere that prioritizes their safety, happiness and overall well-being,” Hamilton said.

Among the noble objectives of this initiative are conserving a species that faces serious threats in its natural habitats; educate and raise public awareness on marine conservation issues; promote research efforts aimed at studying the behavior and ecology of African manatees; and contribute to the African Aquatic Conservation Fund to support projects aimed at preserving manatees in West Africa.

Additionally, the aquarium will sell items handmade by African artisans (with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund) to support the conservation of the species in their natural environment.

Collaborative effort

Nicolas Heard, Acting Director General of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, praised the collaborative efforts initiated by the National Aquarium.

“This collaboration enables crucial financial support from Abu Dhabi for the conservation of the special and highly endangered West African manatee in its natural habitat. “Through this partnership, we aim to fund conservation projects and build local capacity to ensure the long-term protection of this unique species.”

Lucy Keith-Diagne, executive director of the African Aquatic Conservation Fund, who has spent the past 37 years conducting field research with marine mammals, praised efforts to protect marine life.

“This partnership reflects our strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and the preservation of crucial marine environments. “We consider the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi to be a valuable partner in this joint effort and look forward to achieving positive results that benefit marine ecosystems and the communities involved in the region and beyond.”

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